I do not know

Reference: Siyar A’laam an-Nubalaa – Volume 12, Page 63

Suhnoon was asked whether it is possible for a scholar to say ‘I do not know’ in response to a matter he knows about? He replied:

As for that which [he knows] is affirmed in the Book and the Sunnah, then no [he cannot say ‘I do not know’]. As for that [matter] which is open to opinion, then yes it is possible [to say ‘I do not know’]. That is because he does not know [for sure] whether he is right or wrong[1].

Translator’s note:
[1] The Prophet ﷺ said:

«If a judge passes a ruling [to the best of his ability and knowledge] and gets it right, he will have two rewards. If he passes a ruling [to the best of his ability and knowledge] but gets it wrong, he will have one reward.» – transmitted by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.

He is a graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having graduated from the Institute of Arabic Language, and later the Faculty of Sharee'ah in 2004. He currently resides in Birmingham, UK.

Related posts